China’s ‘PhD Village’ Celebrates 33rd Doctoral Graduate from Elite Universities

A remote area in southeastern China, nicknamed the 'PhD Village'. It has produced 33 doctoral graduates from some of the most elite universities around the world.

Located in the Nanan city of Fujian province, Pengdao Village has come under the spotlight after a video of its grand scholarship ceremony went viral on Chinese social media. 

The graduation ceremony was hosted at the village's ancestral hall. According to Xiaoxiang Morning Herald, cited by the SCMP, the village celebrated the academic achievements of the Guo family descendants. 

The ceremony was organized for the second time by the Guo Family Education Fund, which underlines the Guo clan's efforts towards encouraging education in the village. 

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Honouring Students

A student was admitted to Tsinghua University for doctoral studies, along with 15 new candidates for master's and 46 students set to begin undergraduate programs. Wearing red sashes with the words wu zu zhi guang (“the glory of our ancestral clan”), students paid respects to their ancestors by bowing and offering incense.

The fund awarded 217,000 yuan (US$30,000) in scholarships, with the highest individual prize of 8,000 yuan, SCMP reported.

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A Tradition of Learning

So far, villagers have earned PhDs from institutions such as Tsinghua, Hong Kong University, Cambridge, and Cornell. Their names and universities are displayed on red scrolls in the village as a mark of honour.

Pengdao, which was once poor with very limited farmland, turned to education for growth, development, and building opportunities. 

Director of the fund, Guo Dongyu said, “Our award is designed to inspire students to cherish our country and hometown, engage in charitable acts, and work diligently.”